Operations Section
Top row: Pfc. Edward N, Gallo, Pfc. Virgil R. Moore, Tec. 5 William F. Bridges, Tec. 5 Philip J. Francis, Pvt. Floyd H. Ratcliff, Tec. 5 Michael Andino.
Bottom row: Tec. 5 Frank V. Walker, T/Sgt. Sam Schneidman, Tec. 3 Raymond E. Harwood, M/Sgt. Edwin H. Friedrich, S/Sgt. Clarence D. Streeter, Tec. 4 Nick Guido.
These are the men through whose hands flowed the administrative, supply, tactical, and operational plans, the coordination of the critical "Fire Missions," the processing of technical information of survey and metro data, and the urgent battle intelligence. Their material assistance to the staff officers in the execution of all this can be best guaged by the magnificent success of Division Artillery in supporting the Division with the devastating fire power that insured the ultimate crushing victory over the Wehrmacht. They operated in as many as three echelons, over all types of terrain, in all sorts of makeshift Command Posts and Fire Direction Centers, in bitter cold, rain, snow, and mud, and at all hours of the day and night. Never was there a time that sufficient ammunition wasn't available or a fire mission wasn't executed with the maximum of skill and speed. Through their hands flowed the bulk of the Division's front line intelligence information. All worked with the characteristic American team play, enabling the Fire Direction Center to deliver over 300,000 rounds of artillery fire upon our enemy.
There are many little things that will be remembered --directing fire of the Division Artillery from under the FDC half-track during a mortar barrage, the administrative supply personnel bivouaced on the outpost lines of a relieving Infantry regiment, Bastogne and all it's miseries, and the crane in Lorient.
After 11 months of continuous operation in combat, from the beaches of Normandy through France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and into the heart of Germany, the success of our record, as a section. is one of which we are justly proud.
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Last updated: March 2, 2002